Home News Friday Afternoon News, December 29th

Friday Afternoon News, December 29th

Iowa State Patrol Says To Use Caution When Travelling This Weekend

(Le Mars) — Snow has been falling in northwest Iowa all Friday morning, with expectataions of two inches before it is over. Trooper John Farley with the Iowa State Patrol says the highway conditions are starting to become a concern.

Farley says the interstate highway between Sioux City and Onawa is slick, but perhaps not as much snow has fallen as is the case near Le Mars.

The Iowa Highway Patrol trooper says there have been a couple of accidents reported this morning, with drivers perhaps not allowing for the weather conditions.

Farley says if you will be traveling this weekend, make certain you have a full tank of gas, a charged cell phone, an adequate supply of warm clothing and blankets, and a survivor’s kit should you become stranded. The other advice Farley offers is to stay with your vehicle if you should become stranded.

 

 

Fire Department Warns Of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning During Cold Days

(Le Mars) — Carbon monoxide poisoning is often referred to as the “silent killer” since it is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, and it can strike without any notice. During this time of year when it becomes cold, people have the tendency to seal tight their homes to keep the warm air inside, but sometimes problems can arise with carbon monoxide poisoning. Le Mars Fire Chief, Dave Schipper says in recent years, the Le Mars Fire and Rescue
Department has responded to an average of ten to twelve carbon monoxide related calls a year.

Schipper says people that are affected by carbon monoxide poisoning will feel as though they are suffering from influenza.

Aside from equipping your home with carbon monoxide detectors, Schipper recommends having your furnace and other appliances checked by a professional.

The Le Mars Fire Chief says people should place carbon monoxide detectors close to the area where they sleep.

The Cory and Nancy Isebrand family of Le Mars knows and understands the true value of a carbon monoxide detector after their family was awaken in the middle of the evening. The detector saved their lives. Nancy Isebrand shared her story
with KLEM in September when she volunteered to distribute free carbon monoxide detectors to senior citizens.

Carbon monoxide detectors can be purchased from hardware stores, and they generally cost around $20.

 

 

Arctic Cold Temperatures Expected For This Holiday Weekend 

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Arctic air dipping deeper south than usual will put a prolonged chill on New Year’s celebrations in Iowa and Nebraska as temperatures sink below zero Friday night and remain there for three days.
The National Weather Service is warning of hazardous cold as temperatures dip to near records not seen in 130 years.
The New Year’s Day forecast high of minus 5 in Des Moines is just a degree above the city’s coldest high temperature for the day set in 1885. The expected minus 16 low Monday night is just two degrees higher than the day’s record set in 1887.
A similar story is unfolding in Omaha with a New Year’s high of minus 1 and a low of minus 12.
Both cities should reach the teens by Tuesday.

 

 

Sioux City Resident Upset With City Wanting To Take His Land For A Recreational Trail

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A Sioux City property owner says he’ll be representing himself in court as the city tries to gain title to some of his land that the city says it needs for a recreational trail.
Brad Lepper told the Sioux City Journal that he’s concerned about safety for his family and his tenants if the trail runs through the backyards of some rental town homes he owns and a side yard of his own home.
The City Council voted to take the land under eminent domain when he and officials couldn’t agree on the trail route. Lepper rejected the city’s first offer of under $16,500.
The county compensation commission then set a price of $34,000, which the city rejected as too high and filed an appeal to Woodbury County District Court.

 

 

California Man Accused Of Establishing Fake Businesses To Gain Unemployment Benefits

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A California man charged with setting up fake businesses in Iowa and two other states to obtain more than $355,000 in unemployment benefits for nonexistent workers has pleaded guilty in federal court and will be sentenced next month.
Court documents filed in U.S. District Court in Iowa say Nikolai
Monastyrski has pleaded guilty to all charges contained in a 14-count indictment alleging wire fraud and mail fraud.
A November 2016 complaint says Monastyrski defrauded Iowa Workforce Development of more than $114,000, collected $230,000 from Illinois and $11,300 from Pennsylvania.
Prosecutors say Monastyrski, who requires a Russian interpreter in court, ran the scheme from his Folsom, California, apartment.
Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger on Thursday set his sentencing date for Jan. 8 in Davenport. She had accepted his guilty plea in September.